VoIP - What is Voice over IP?

02/07/2008

With internet service providers, software and hardware manufacturers stumbling over themselves to promote its virtues VoIP is the talk of the town, or, more precisely, the internet. But just what is VoIP and does it really offer free telephony?

VoIP is an abbreviation of Voice over Internet Protocol. VoIP is also sometimes known as IP Telephony. It is a way of making low cost phone calls over the internet, although headsets are generally preferred to using 'phones' nowadays.

It’s by no means a new idea. The first Internet voice transmission occurred in 1973 but it wasn’t until the new century that significant adoption took place. Now, its growth is unstoppable as high speed broadband networks, which are better equipped to deal with voice data, become the norm.

There are 3 options when using VoIP;

• Both users have a PC
• One user has a PC and one has a Phone
• Both users have a Phone

Low Cost & Free VoIP

VoIP is used extensively by people making long distance calls as the call costs are low or in some instances, free. All that is required is a headset, or microphone, a stable internet connection and a VoIP service provider.

VoIP transmits the sounds a user makes over a standard internet connection using the IP Protocol. In this way, users can communicate without any additional cost. However, VoIP isn't free if used away from your computer. VoIP can be used with a telephone or a mobile phone but this requires a paid service. These costs are generally much lower than traditional telephone costs, substantially cheaper than normal international calls.

VoIP Technology

Whilst VoIP technology is still quite new, its acceptance is widespread. Developers would agree that there's still a lot to do but the advantages are easy to see. Its quick rise to popularity has meant the associated issues are still to be resolved, such as considerations surrounding its regulations and security.

See our range of VoIP Phones.